Snowpack and Streamflow Conditions

This section describes the seasonal snowpack conditions in the watersheds. This information will be updated throughout the winter season. You will also find detailed information on streamflow conditions in the watersheds

2023-2024 Snow Summary

Higher terrain in the watersheds were blanketed in early season snow on October 25-26 as a low pressure system off the Pacific clashed with a surge of Arctic air from the north. The front side (near the ski areas) received 30-40 cm of snow, with less snow further north. Most of this snow had melted by the end of October.

Fig. 7 Fresh snow at Orchid Lake (1200m) on October 25

The chart below shows the daily average snow depth at Orchid Lake. The current year (2023/24) is shown in red, along with the average (gray line), range of normal (gray shaded area), and the range of maximum and minimum (blue shaded area). The data record for this station dates back to October 2006.

Streamflow Conditions

This next section focuses on streamflow levels at the Capilano River above Lakehead (08GA010) gauge. During the fall and winter season, the focus is on high flows (storm response).

The plot below shows average daily inflows for 2023 (blue line), average daily flows (dashed line), and the range of normal (shaded area).

The plot below shows average monthly inflows for the Capilano River above Lakehead (08GA010) gauge (green ticks). You will also see a boxplot showing monthly statistics (1998-2023). The boxplot shows median values, first and third quartiles, the range of max and min, and outliers (circles).